It’s time for someone to take a stand against all of the terrible hosts out there. What’s so hard about offering a credible service without any dubious marketing terms or lies? Yes, finding a good host is a little harder than stumbling across one of the thousands of terrible hosts, but it’s time well spent. Here’s exactly what you need to look for in a host for your blog.

Bandwidth and Disk Space

Unlimited bandwidth is a lie, pure and simple. The fact is that unlimited bandwidth doesn’t even exist because there’s a constant flow of data and even all of the servers in the world couldn’t provide this. While there are some good hosts that offer this service, and it’s really not that bad for very small websites that need less than 10GB of bandwidth and disk space, it’s terrible for anyone looking to scale up. It’s much better to get metered bandwidth and disk space with a specific limit. This ensures that you know exactly how much you are getting. Don’t know how much you need? Just multiply the size of your common Web page by your average number of visitors. It’s a fairly simple equation.

Automated CMS Installation

A good host is going to have cPanel, which is also going to have an automated CMS installation program like Softaculous or Fantastico. Yes, you can always install WordPress or Drupal manually, but most of us don’t know or care to know how to do this. Ensure the host has an automated installer for your blog. Uptime Bad hosts are better known for their downtime than their uptime. A host’s job is to keep your website up and running. While downtime is inevitable and it will happen, it should only be for a few hours to days throughout the year. If your host doesn’t supply at least a 99% uptime guarantee, then leave immediately. You aren’t getting the service that you deserve, and who knows what other corners the host is cutting. It’s better to have 99.9% or higher, but 99% should be the bare minimum.

Customer Service

You don’t always need to call customer service because email and live chat are often just as good, but please oh please make sure the customer service team is good. Don’t assume that they will be professional. Most bad hosts have awful customer service teams that just won’t help you out. Grill the customer service team before using the host. Ask about what they will do if a hacker attacks, if their server goes down or if you have a hard time doing something common (like installing a script or using cPanel). If the team doesn’t seem helpful, then move on.

Loading Speed

Hosts don’t like advertising their loading speeds for one reason or another. Maybe it’s too geeky for common users, or maybe it’s because a lot of them want to hide something. Never, ever use a host without ensuring that their loading speeds are good. If your website loads very slowly, then this doesn’t just annoy visitors. It ensures that your site’s search engine ranking will drop, you will get fewer organic links and your number of active readers will decrease. Yes, site loading speed is a big deal and your host has to help you out if you want to survive.

Conclusion

There’s no reason to use a bad host for your blog, and I hope that you never pay a dime to these companies. Most good hosts are about the same price as the bad ones, but the service is much more valuable. Remember, you need a Web host that will help your business grow, not destroy you from the inside.

You own an Android, unlike cell phones of yesterday. The Android is more like a computer than a phone. But some people are intimidated and a bit lazy in getting to know their device, only using it for talking and texting. If that’s all you’re doing with your Android then you’re doing it wrong. Here’s how to make your device more functional.

Be a Pro at Photos

All of your photos can be kept in one place. Most people don’t need a camera these days. But it’s difficult to keep track of photos for later retrieval via a phone. You can create folders within Photos to categorize items. Furthermore, you could search for folders using the voice function. Why waste time toggling through icons?

Get to Saying, “Ok, Google…”

Start using the Android’s voice assistant option. There are tons of useful voice commands at your disposal including record a video, take a selfie, set a timer, etc. Aside from telling, you can ask about things like the weather, what time is the (your team’s name) game, etc.

Use a Mouse

Some people are unaware they can use their Android device with a mouse. Some apps are just easier to use with the aid of a mouse. Alternatively, you could plug your Android into a portable device or home PC. There are other plug-in compatibilities. Use a Bluetooth-enabled mouse or a keyboard if you would like.

Stop Using Data for Navigation

Google Maps is a great service. It’s useful to pull up the information when driving and in need of directions. However, you may grow alarmed to see your data getting used at a great rate, especially if you’re overseas. However, Google Maps allows Android users to view information without using data. Look for the ‘offline areas’ option from the overhead map view.

Take a Screenshot

It’s pretty handy to take a screenshot if you want a copy of your friend’s picture, see a meme you want to share, or if you would like to capture headlines to back up an argument with a spouse. All you do is press the power and volume-down button at the same time. The screen will flash and you’ll hear a shutter sound. You can then save the shot in a certain folder or upload it to social media.

Seta Data Limit

We’ve all been there. No one wants to get an enormous smartphone bill from their carrier. It’s easy to lose track of allotted data but not when you set a limit on your phone’s controls. Be alerted as soon as you exceed the limit set and never have to pay for going over again!

Turn Off Autocorrect

There have been funny and not so funny stories created by the autocorrect function. Android thinks you mean one thing and automatically corrects your spelling. This could be annoying to downright disastrous depending on whom receives a text from you. Don’t worry about it after turning off the autocorrect function.

When starting your own business, it’s best to eliminate the fluff. Too many small business owners fail because of overspending and an inability to budget. Here’s a list of the best ways to take control of your small business and save big.

SUPPLIES AND SERVICE

Frugality is your friend – instead of purchasing the newest software and technology, consider utilizing free software to facilitate operations. Hootsuite offers limited social management tools for free. Asana and Wrike offer free project management systems. WordPress, Wix, Drupal, and others offer free content management. Insightly has a free customer relationship management system, and so on. There are many other free, “freemium” or free-trial software that smaller enterprises can use as they grow. This will help the business operate more efficiently, save costs on budget and allow the company to fully evaluate the software before making the investment in paid suites.

EMPLOYEES

Often times, the people who work for you will determine the success of your business. To lower spending, new businesses should limit managerial hierarchies and contract freelancers when appropriate. You will pay a higher hourly rate for a freelancer than a full-time employee, but contractors tend to have varied experience, meaning they require less management and even less of your valuable time. Writers, designers, software developers and marketing experts are just a few of the roles that many startups hire on a freelance basis in order to cut spending. Additionally, freelancers can work out of their own homes, saving you money on office space and other resources.

OFFICE SPACE

In its early stages, you can save a great deal on rent, utilities, and supplies by running the business from your home. Of course, some businesses require a retail space or office to operate effectively. To minimize costs, consider joining forces with another small company to rent a shared office. You can split expenses and utilities down the middle, and even go in together on office supplies and furniture.

ADVERTISING AND DESIGN

Instead of hiring that top-rated design agency, consider performing some of your marketing efforts in-house. By developing your website and improving your social media presence, you can reach your audience without spending a fortune. As an added bonus, business owners performing some of their own marketing have the opportunity to gain valuable insight by interacting directly with their customers.

T R AV E L & EXPENSE MANAGEMENT

An often overlooked consideration of new businesses, travel and expense (T&E) actually make up the second largest operating expenditure after payroll. According to a recent Entrepreneur article, overspending actually eats up a fifth to a third of total T&E on average. As a startup, you have the power to tackle this trend upfront, before it becomes an issue down the line. Typically, if no policy exists, or the policy does not set clear limits, employees pick the airline, hotel, restaurant, and/or rental car of their choice—usually with convenience, not money in mind. People tend to spend more when it’s not their money. Divvy is the first free and fully automated spend management platform. It includes all of the features of cloud-based automation, without the pesky hidden costs. Within a matter of minutes, Divvy gives you visibility and control to every part of your businesses finances. For example: setup budgets and company spending policy down to each employee. Get real time spend insights. Send/block funds in real time. Generate IRS compliant digital receipts on all company purchases (AKA no more manual reimbursements or filing expense reports). The best part: it’s free.

A lot has changed for the last couple of years when it comes to marketing and advertising a business. For example, social media have been very popular when it comes to the Internet, but outside of the Internet giving away promotional items such as printed tote bags has become a very effective way of advertising a company.

I heard about promotional items for the first time already some time ago, but I never really had a chance to learn everything about them. I am sure that most of you have received a promotional item such as promotional bags at some point so you know exactly what I am talking about here. I myself looked up the term promotional items on the Internet. I discovered that many companies use this strategy to market their services and they are very successful at it.

It seems that people give promotional items in many parts of the world, not only in the United Kingdom. You can give many business promotional items to your customers for free like cups, pens, pencils, or calendars with the logo of your company imprinted on them.

There are many good items which you can choose to give for free, so make your choice wisely. Another good idea for promotional products are cups. Each person needs cups to drink from. By offering cups to drink from to your customers, you give them something valuable, something that they need on a daily basis.

Advertising your business can mean a lot of fun for you and your associates. Take your time to sit down with them and start thinking about promotional items you could offer to your customers. Always look for better and better ways to advertise your business and you will find what you like the most. If possible, try to find at least a few ways to advertise your business and keep doing them until it brings money to your business. Never give up and always be on the lookout for better products that are likely to bring you money in return. Never settle on giving away mediocre items. Only this way can you be sure that you are truly successful.

With large-scale home improvement projects steadily on the rise for the past few years, more people than ever are making serious renovations to their home. Whether it’s a simple re-decorating job or an entire kitchen re-vamp, making some form of home improvement is something almost all homeowners will do in their lifetimes.

But whilst the thought of improving the look of your home is exciting, the cost can be enough to stop projects before they’ve even got off the ground! But there are multiple ways to finance home fixes and upgrades that almost everyone can apply for, meaning you can have the home of your dreams as long as you keep up with repayments. So, if you’re desperate to re-vamp your home but are put off by the potential cost, here are some financial solutions to consider.

Credit cards

Most suitable for smaller, less expensive projects, credit cards can be a great way of financing your home improvements. If you have an excellent credit score, you’ll likely qualify for a credit card with a very low-interest rate meaning that, when the time comes to start paying the card’s balance, interest won’t give you a nasty surprise!

But making the decision to use a credit card must be done with caution. Analyze your budget and if you’re not 100% sure you’ll be able to make every single repayment back and pay for your home improvements in full, don’t take the risk as you could end up in serious debt if you’re not careful.

Unsecured personal loan

More suitable than a credit card for medium-size projects that cost up to $50,000, unsecured loans are a good option. One of two types of personal loan (we’ll get onto the second type in just a moment!), unsecured loans don’t require collateral, are relatively easy to apply for, and you can make your repayments over a period of years if you wish. If office or business-related improvements are what you’re looking to do, compare business loans to find the right option for you.

However, unsecured loans often come with high-interest rates simply because the lender is at risk. So again, in a similar way to credit cards, analyze your budget beforehand and ensure you can meet both the payments and the accompanying interest rates.

Secured personal loan

Unlike unsecured loans, these loans require collateral that the lender will take ownership of if you’re unable to make the repayments. But, because this significantly reduces the lender’s risk, secured loans often have the lowest interest rates of all!

But, as you’ll have collateral on the line, taking out a secured loan if you’re not 100% sure you can handle it is deadly. So, before signing on the dotted line, make sure your finances can manage.

When your home needs an upgrade, making the necessary improvements are often much easier said than done when on a budget. But by analyzing your finances and project cost, you’ll be able to make the best possible decision specific to your circumstances, giving you the dream home without the financial worry!

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I am a work from home mom who discusses topics related to business, entrepreneurship, and finance. I struggled with financial difficulties and bankruptcy, so I want to share with you how I overcame these problems! Thanks for visiting!